API expands access to its safety standards

The API has announced it will provide free online public access to a large group of key industry standards, including a broad range of safety standards. This expands the number of API standards that will be available for free. A smaller number are now available to the public for free on API’s website while others can be reviewed in person in government agency offices.

Comments

‘As API standards have been reference in the federal register in rulemaking procedures, having copies available for public review in only a few locations did not meet our industry’s goal of transparency,’ said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. ‘The industry’s standards represent our commitment to safe and successful operations and practices. Wider access through online viewing platforms is part of our public commitment.’

Available material

Once changes to the API website are complete, 160 standards will be available online. The standards represent almost one third of all API standards and will include all that are safety related or have been incorporated into federal regulation. Examples include process safety standards on refinery and chemical plant operations and equipment, offshore drilling standards, hydraulic fracturing and well construction standards and pipeline safety standards on welding and public awareness programs.

The newly accessible standards will be available for review, and hard copies and printable versions will continue to be available for purchase. API standards are generally technical in nature and designed principally for use by oil and natural gas companies. Revenue from the sale of standards supports API’s standards program, which operates on a non-profit basis. API expects to continue to sell standards to oil and natural gas companies and other interested parties.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management officials and others in the administration have encouraged API to increase access to industry standards. ‘We are pleased to help the administration demonstrate the industry’s commitment to safe operations,’ said Gerard. ‘Much of the nation’s energy is produced on public lands, and the public has a right to know what measures industry is putting in place to stay safe and improve its environmental stewardship.’

API began its standards program in 1924 and has continuously updated and added to its standards and recommended practices.